Thanos’ Six Appearances in the MCU Since Avengers: Endgame

Fans have expressed a strong desire for Thanos to make a comeback in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, especially with the recent return of beloved characters portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.and Chris Evans. The prospect of reintroducing the formidable villain seems increasingly plausible, particularly when considering Thanos’ ongoing narrative threads in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) following the events of Avengers: Endgame.

Thanos’ Ongoing Presence in the MCU Post-Endgame

The Enduring Legacy of the Mad Titan

Despite his demise in Avengers: Endgame, Thanos has maintained a significant presence within the MCU. The film demonstrates this with an intriguing twist: while the original Thanos is conquered early on, an alternate timeline version steps in as the film’s climax antagonist. This clever narrative device allows the character to persist in various multiversal stories, thus shaping the overarching saga.

Frequency of Thanos’ Appearances Since Endgame

Beyond On-Screen Appearances

The exact number of Thanos’ appearances since Endgame can be challenging to quantify. He has been referenced in several MCU series, like Hawkeye, and even made a visual cameo in the animated series I Am Groot. However, Thanos is distinctly featured in episodes of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and in the premiere episode of Loki, marking two additional concrete appearances.

Additionally, Josh Brolin reprised his role as Thanos in four episodes of What If…?, contributing to his ongoing legacy. These episodes include:

What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord?
What If… Iron Man Crashed Into the Grandmaster?
What If… Howard the Duck Got Hitched?
What If… Zombies?! (non-speaking role)

These appearances bring his total appearances since Endgame to six, showcasing his continued relevance within the MCU narrative.

Reasons Behind Thanos’ Continued Relevance

Thanos: A Pillar of the MCU Narrative

Thanos stands as one of the most pivotal characters in the MCU. His compelling narrative is tied to many of the franchise’s core themes, making it exceedingly likely that he will reemerge as the franchise moves forward. Just as Iron Man and Captain America are set to return in Avengers: Doomsday, it appears logical to expect Thanos to reenter the fold, given the intricate storytelling possibilities he offers.

Utilization of alternate realities and previously filmed footage has allowed for new and engaging stories that continue to explore the shadows cast by Thanos. As the MCU ramps up for major films like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, audiences would likely be more astonished if Thanos does not reappear rather than if he does.

Following his six notable appearances post-mortem, expectations are high that the Mad Titan will return yet again. Josh Brolin’s portrayal has solidified Thanos as an iconic figure within pop culture, securing his status as one of recent cinematic history’s most memorable villains. This ongoing engagement with the character suggests that exploring Thanos’ narrative is not only beneficial but essential for the MCU as it evolves.

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